PROS: Distinctive lunar-inspired design with glow-in-the-dark detail Slim body with large 6,000mAh battery Bright, vibrant AMOLED displayCONS: Some focus hunting and jittery issues in 4K video Aluminum frame seems to be prone to dents and visible marks after minor dropsRATINGS:AESTHETICSERGONOMICSPERFORMANCESUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITYVALUE FOR MONEYEDITOR'S QUOTE:The realme P3 Ultra exemplifies the perfect balance between playful aesthetics and practical functionality, wrapping cosmic-inspired design around solid everyday performance.The Realme P series is a relatively new but increasingly important lineup in Realmes smartphone portfolio, first making its debut in India with the launch of the Realme P1 and P1 Pro in 2024. Designed as a mid-range offering, the P series stands out for its commitment to delivering a compelling blend of power, design innovation, and value. Originally exclusive to the Indian market, the success of the P series has prompted Realme to expand its availability globally. With the launch of the P3 Ultra, the series is set to reach new audiences across Europe, Latin America, and Southeast Asia, signaling Realmes growing ambitions and the rising popularity of the lineup.True to its name, the P in P series stands for Power. Realme has focused on equipping these devices with robust performance hardware, advanced chipsets, and efficient cooling systems. Beyond sheer power, the P series also serves as a showcase for some of Realmes boldest design experiments. The brand is willing to try new materials, textures, and finishes, which is evident in the lunar-inspired, glow-in-the-dark elements introduced with the P3 Ultra. This design-forward philosophy is paired with features that appeal to todays youth, such as gaming-ready performance, long battery life, and intelligent software enhancements. But how well does it deliver on these promises? Lets dive in.Designer: realmeAestheticsThe realme P3 Ultra stands out visually, especially in the Glowing Lunar White variant. The back of the phone features a glossy finish with a detailed lunar surface pattern that captures the look of craters and dust. Although it appears textured, the finish is completely smooth and polished to the touch. This creates an interesting contrast, as your eyes expect a rough surface while your hand feels something sleek and reflective.Realme uses a starlight ink process for this model. The back panel includes tiny reflective particles that shimmer as you move the phone under light. The effect is subtle and adds an extra layer of visual depth, which is not common for devices in this price range. It is enough to draw your attention without being flashy or distracting.The camera island is rectangular, finished in silver, and positioned in the upper left corner of the phone. It houses two cameras arranged vertically, each surrounded by a raised silver ring that catches the light and adds dimension. The round LED flash sits next to the upper camera, making the layout easy to recognize at a glance. The camera module does not protrude much from the back, which helps the phone maintain a sleek and balanced profile.The glow-in-the-dark feature on the moon design is the detail that stays with you. When the lights are off, the lunar area emits a gentle green glow. This touch feels understated and almost calming rather than showy. It also makes the phone easy to locate in a dark room, which is both practical and fun.Other design choices include an orange accent ring around the camera island and a matching orange power button. These details are easy to notice but do not dominate the overall look. The realme logo appears in silver on the lower left, providing a subtle but clear brand mark.The Neptune Blue variant offers a different experience. Instead of a glossy finish, this version uses vegan leather on the back, giving it a soft and premium texture. The camera island in this color is metallic blue, creating a cohesive and visually appealing contrast with the rest of the body. This option is ideal for those who prefer a tactile finish and a more classic, sophisticated look.Overall, the P3 Ultra demonstrates that a phone can be playful without losing its sense of refinement. The design is memorable for its creativity and attention to detail. It is clear that realme put thought into every element of the phones appearance.ErgonomicsThe realme P3 Ultra is comfortable to hold, which is impressive for a phone that puts so much attention on its visual presence and manages to fit in a large 6,000mAh battery. With a slim profile of just 7.38 millimeters and a weight of about 183 grams, it feels light and easy in the hand. The flat sides echo the phones modern, geometric aesthetic and provide a grip that feels steady during long use. The polished edges rest smoothly against your palm, and the phones overall balance avoids any sense of bulk.Both the orange power button and the volume controls are found on the right edge, grouped together in a way that keeps the look clean and are easy enough to reach. The fingerprint scanner, set low near the bottom of the display, works quickly but can interrupt the natural transition from unlocking to navigating the phone. This is a small detail, but one that can affect the flow of everyday use.The camera island, with its minimal protrusion, blends into the design and does not get in the way when playing games or holding the phone horizontally. However, when the phone rests on a flat surface, there is a bit of wobble. This is a minor trade-off for the sleek camera integration.The Glowing Lunar White variants glossy finish can show fingerprints, though only when the light catches them at certain angles. For most of the day, the phone keeps its clean, almost pristine look. Overall, the P3 Ultra manages to bring together its bold visual identity with a practical and comfortable feel, making it enjoyable to hold and use for long periods, even if a few small quirks remain.Real-world use always brings out new details. My sample device already has a minor dent on the top frame, which serves as a reminder that even thoughtfully designed phones can suffer from the occasional drop. I have to admit, I drop my phones more often than I would like. This small mark made me question the long-term durability of the frame. The dent is subtle and does not take away from the comfort of daily use, but it is something to keep in mind for anyone who tends to be a bit clumsy. The P3 Ultra feels excellent in hand, yet a touch more toughness would make its elegant design even more reassuring for everyday life.PerformanceThe realme P3 Ultra delivers on its promise of reliable performance, powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Ultra chipset paired with LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 3.1. Despite the Ultra branding, this chip has the same configuration as the standard Dimensity 8350, and there is no official information from MediaTek or Realme outlining any real difference between the two. Even so, the P3 Ultra proves itself more than capable when put to the test.The phone runs realme UI 6.0 on top of Android 15. Everyday use is smooth and responsive, with apps launching quickly and multitasking handled without noticeable lag. Things are snappy whether you are moving between social feeds, browsing the web, or editing photos. The phone maintains this level of performance even under heavier loads.The Realem P3 Ultra can handle gaming with ease. Demanding titles like Genshin Impact run smoothly at the highest settings. Even after an hour of continuous gameplay, the phones temperature did not exceed 42 degrees Celsius. The 6050mm2 vapor chamber cooling system works well, keeping the device comfortable to hold and preventing the performance drops that sometimes come with overheating.The device is equipped with a 6.83-inch AMOLED quad-curved display with 120Hz refresh rate and 12722800 resolution. The display is vibrant and bright. Speaker quality is solid for the segment. The stereo setup produces clear sound with enough volume for games and videos, though bass is limited. Voices and music remain distinct, making for a pleasant media experience.The P3 Ultra is equipped with a 50MP Sony IMX896 main camera with OIS, an 8MP ultra-wide camera, and a 16MP front-facing camera. The main sensor captures detailed, vibrant photos in daylight that are ready for social media, though colors can appear a bit too punchy if you prefer a more natural look. The software does a good job balancing exposure, and you can zoom up to 20x, though quality drops off at higher magnifications. In low light, the main camera produces reliable results for casual shots, even if some noise and softness are present.The ultra-wide camera is satisfactory, but there is a noticeable color shift when switching between lenses. Ultra-wide photos are less vibrant and lean closer to natural color, which some users may prefer. The front-facing camera excels at selfies, delivering skin tones and textures that look natural and flattering without over-smoothing.For video, the P3 Ultras main camera can record up to 4K at 60 frames per second, with digital zoom up to 10x. The ultra-wide and front-facing cameras are limited to 1080p at 30 frames per second. Video quality from the main camera offers good dynamic range and balanced exposure, but some focus hunting and jitteriness can be observed, especially when the scene changes quickly. These issues can be distracting if you expect consistently smooth footage.Battery life is a strong point, especially given the phones slim build. The 6,000mAh battery easily lasts a full day, even with gaming and heavy use. 80W wired fast charging support is also a plus, letting you recharge quickly and get back to using your phone without long waits. It also supports 5W reverse charging to let your phone act as an emergency power bank.SustainabilityWhile the P3 Ultra does not make sustainability a central part of its story, its robust build and protective features aim to promote longevity. There is no mention of recycled or eco-friendly materials in its construction, nor does realme highlight any specific environmental initiatives for this model.On the durability front, the device carries IP66, IP68, and IP69 ratings. This means it is resistant to dust, water, and even high-pressure sprays at high temperatures. These protections suggest the phone is built to handle a range of challenging environments, which could help extend its lifespan and reduce the need for early replacement.Screen protection is another area where the P3 Ultra stands out. It uses Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, which, while not the brands highest offering, still exceeds what you typically find in this price segment. This added durability helps guard against everyday accidents and wear, supporting the phones potential for long-term use. Overall, even though the P3 Ultra does not focus on sustainability through materials or manufacturing, its emphasis on durability and protection may appeal to users who want a device designed to last.ValueThe realme P3 Ultra enters the market at an early bird price of $339 for the 12GB+256GB variant and $369 for the 12GB+512GB version. At these prices, the phone presents a strong overall package that confidently stands out with its imaginative design and capable everyday performance. Features such as the AMOLED display, the generous 6,000mAh battery, fast charging capabilities, and a high level of durability add real appeal for users who are seeking more than just the basics.If you value a phone that blends creative design with reliable performance and smooth gaming, the P3 Ultra offers solid value for your investment. This device is a good match for anyone who cares about both aesthetics and practical day-to-day use. With its unique style and dependable hardware, the P3 Ultra is easy to recommend to those who want their phone to look as good as it performs.VerdictThe realme P3 Ultra is a striking example of how mid-range smartphones can stand out through thoughtful design and balanced performance. The lunar-inspired aesthetic and glow-in-the-dark details give it personality, while the slim profile and robust build make it a pleasure to use daily. Performance is solid for everything from social media to demanding games, and the large battery means you rarely have to worry about running out of power before the day is done.Realme delivers a phone that feels special without losing sight of comfort and practicality. There are a few quirks, such as the placement of the fingerprint scanner and some issues with video focus, but they never overshadow the phones strengths. With premium features like a quad-curved AMOLED display, excellent durability ratings, and fast charging, the P3 Ultra is a strong value for its price. For anyone who cares about design as much as function, it is an easy phone to recommend.The post Realme P3 Ultra Review: Cosmic Design, Everyday Power first appeared on Yanko Design.